Would you continue to consume the foods and beverages you buy if you knew that they may cause serious health problems like cancer? Following that, did you know that many of the food dyes present in our foods can cause these problems?

A state senator from California claims that recently assembled information shows that artificial food colorings, which are included on nutrition labels under various names including Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1, adversely harm many children and that parents have a right to know about this.

“At high levels of consumption, there is some suggestive evidence that they cause digestive disruptions, but these studies are associated with animal testing at levels no human should ever encounter,” science teacher Laura Morgan said. “That having been said, we (Americans especially) are gluttons. Generally, there is nothing that we consume in reasonable amounts.”

Any dye, pigment, or chemical that gives food or beverages color when added is referred to as a food coloring or color additive. They are available in a variety of forms, including liquids, powders, gels, and pastes. Both commercial and home cookery employ the use of food coloring.

Would someone drink clear Pepsi? How about using green ketchup or pink butter? These goods did exist, and not all that long ago either. However, there is a reason why these dietary fads fizzled out. Customers love it when a food’s color and flavor match.

“Looks play a big part in whether or not I’ll eat something,” senior Isaac Sell said. “If it doesn’t look appetizing, then I won’t touch it.”

People anticipate that orange-flavored beverages will have an orange flavor because oranges are orange. Purple beverages should taste like grapes, whereas red beverages should taste like cherries. 

“There’s definitely a correlation between taste and color,” Sell said. “Like if I were to get a red piece of candy, I’d expect it to taste like strawberry or cherry, not banana.”

Food dyes have posed a greater threat to consumers’ health over the past century than any other class of food additives. Even though they are frequently found in processed foods, most artificial food colorings have been determined to pose serious health risks. 

“If I had known more about what I was eating, I probably wouldn’t have eaten it in the first place,” Sell said. “I suppose you are what you eat.”